Care Advice Enquiry

Can you tell me which of your care homes have an EMI nursing unit please? I am looking for a home for my 69-yr-old Mum who has Alzheimers and she some challenging behaviours. She is a self-funder and I want to find the best place for her, preferably in the York area.

We do have an EMI (Elderly Mentally Infirm) nursing unit at our St Catherines home in Shipton By Beningbrough, near York. The telephone number is 01904 470644 where our manager (Judith) would be only too happy to help you with any enquiries you may have, or would make you very welcome if you should wish to visit the home.

My mum is a bright woman of 84, in need of stimulation. What activities do you do in your day care setting to motivate. Do you have a set programme for certain days of the week? I am looking for the possibility of one day a week at this current time?

We have a varied activity programme at all our homes, including our day centres at Glenholme, in Sunderland, and Heatherdale, in Broomhill, Northumberland. Examples of recent activities at Glenholme, for example, include a trip to a sea life centre and owl sanctuary. Internal activities in the home have included a dog show and a visit from an organisation called Zoo Lab, which brings all manners of creatures into the homes for day centre users to look at and handle. The activity lists at all our homes are compiled at the end of every month for the forthcoming month, and details daily activities and outings. You also may like to read our company newsletter, which is very informative, containing lots of photographs of both residents and staff enjoying social activities and visiting places of interest.

I am currently doing Health and Social care GCSE and using Eighton Lodge as my service provider for my coursework. I would like to know how the local GPs work with Eighton Lodge?

The GPs provide a good service for Eighton Lodge. Although we do use a few of the local surgeries, our main service is with Birtley Medical Practice who visit the home whenever we request them to do so. They also now hold a clinic here on a Friday to tend to all of the non-urgent matters, which is proving beneficial to the surgery and to the home. Our GPs are very involved with the residents' families and always encourage them to call them at the surgery if there is something they feel that they would like to discuss. GPs are now involved with Advanced Care Planning to ensure that all of the residents needs are met through their final years. The GPs arrange for the district nurses to visit to collect blood samples, when needed, and tend to any wounds that residents may have. They also arrange for the district nurses to set up the Liverpool Pathways when a person is nearing the end of their life. In all, our GPs provide our home with a very good service.

I wonder if you could advise, my elderly parents live in Manchester but the family is now in York and the time is coming when both of my parents will need residential care. Is it possible for them to be together, both will need 24-hour care?

We have three care homes in York that would be suitable for your parents - St Catherines, Rosevale and Grimston Court, and yes we do provide accommodation for couples, as well as 24-hour care. We have double rooms which can be quite easily adapted as a lounge/bedroom or alternately we have also had couples who preferred two rooms, with one being made into a comfortable lounge with television etc, and the other as a double bedroom. As our rooms vary so much in size it would very much depend on what vacancies we had at the time. Why don t you pop in at your convenience and we could have a chat?

My grandmother has Parkinsons and Alzheimers but refuses to go into care. My mum, who has been looking after her for 44 years, has lost a lot of weight because of the stress and I feel helpless. We desperately need advice, please can you help?

It is clear from your email that your mum cannot go on providing the constant care you grandmother demands. If you mum was to take ill the social worker would carry out an assessment of your grandmother's strengths, difficulties, likes, dislikes and needs. I think that time has come. If, as you say, there is no help coming from the social worker contact your grandmother's GP. Initially, I would tactfully explain to your grandmother your concerns with regard your mum's health, and put the suggestion to her of going into a care home for 2 weeks holiday (respite) before making the often difficult long term decision on further future care. If your grandmother is unable to make that decision then you should put it to her social worker, explaining your concerns on the effect it is having on your mum and the rest of her family. I wish both you and your mum well in the future.

My 86-year-old mother lives with me and is reluctant to go into a care home but I am very worried about her disabilities. Can you give me advice?

You are in a very difficult position. Most people hang on to their independence for as long as possible, but eventually realise they need a certain amount of support in order to sustain their independence. It is always a very delicate situation for families when they see a loved one losing the battle to be independent without support. I would recommend you firstly get your mum a social worker who would work with both you and your mum and also make an assessment of your mum's needs. This assessment will be carried out in a sensitive manner in order to ascertain both your mum's needs and wishes. There is a lot of help out there with a range of options to help you make the decisions you need, and I wish you well in the future and hope I have helped a little.

Could you provide me with details of your homes in the York area?

Wellburn Care Homes has three homes in the York area - Grimston Court, Rosevale and St Catherines. Set in secluded private grounds on the outskirts of York, Grimston Court provides residential care, including dementia, respite and personal care, for 47 residents. This impressive country house is a listed building of historic interest and is just minutes from the centre of the historic city of York. The contact number is 01904 489343. Located in the village of Shipton-by-Beningbrough, which is just a few miles from York, St Catherines provides residential and nursing care, including a specialist dementia unit and respite and personal care, for 55 residents. The contact number is 01904 470644. Located in the village of Wigginton, just a few miles from York, Rosevale provides residential care, including dementia, respite and personal care, for 42 residents. The home stands in its own grounds close to all local amenities and York is just a short drive away. The contact number is 01904 764242. Further information on all these homes is available on our website - www.wellburncare.co.uk

My mum has dementia and needs EMI nursing care. Do you provide this?

EMI stands for Elderly and Mentally Infirm and is a specialist form of care, We provide EMI nursing care in one of our homes, St Catherines in York. If the location of St Catherines means the the home is not suitable for your mum I suggest you visit www.carehome.co.uk. This website will allow you to search care homes close to you that offer EMI care.

Can you provide long-term care for someone with multiple sclerosis who requires 24-hour care?

Yes, we can provide 24-hour care for people with multiple sclerosis or any other illness or condition that requires around the clock nursing care. Three of our homes have dual registration as residential and nursing homes and these are St Catherines in York, St Georges in Washington, Tyne and Wear and Nightingale Hall in Richmond, North Yorkshire. Once you have identified the area that would most suit you can contact the homes directly and the managers would be only too happy to provide more information and arrange a tour.

My mother, who is 81 this year, is asking me about long term care. What do I need to do?

If you mum doesn't have a social worker at present you will need to contact a duty social worker, or you could speak with her GP who I am sure would contact social servives on her behalf. It is important to think about long term care at your mother's age and there are a number of different organisations who will be able to provide help and advice, such as Age UK.

Can you provide holiday care for someone who lives outside the area?

We are always delighted to offer holiday care and anyone who comes into any of our homes, even for a short stay, is given a warm welcome making them feel very much at home . If you look at our homes on this website and identify the one which would be the most convenient, you will then be able to contact the manager of the home directly This will give you the opportunity to ask any questions or concerns you may have, and also ensure that we can meet the needs of your loved one.

My father had a stroke and my mother and I are looking into respite care. Do you accept someone who has had a stroke and what is the minimum time they could stay for?

We do provide respite care to stroke victims and the length of stay is down to personal choice, the minimum being a weekend. We would first have to ensure we can meet the daily needs of the person concerned, this is to identify whether they would need a residential care home or a nursing home.

Why are activities so important?

In order to lead more fulfilled lives, we need to be involved in the activities which encourage our interest and keep us stimulated. It does seem reasonable to believe that if residents live in a positive, encouraging and mentally stimulating, social and physical environment - it is more likely they will be satisfied and content. Research has shown that those who are deprived of active social roles and relationships are most likely to experience problems.

What support is given to people with dementia?

All staff should have recieved both in-house training and attended an accredited Dementia Awareness Training Course. This will help them gain the knowledge and understanding to respond in their role efficiently to deal with the different types of dementia.

Is it normal to feel so guilty about putting a loved one in a home?

Everyone's situation is different. There are lots of reason a person may need 24 hour care in a home. I have worked in the care sector for many years and have spoken with many families at the end of their tether having coped for months/years caring for a loved one. Many are on medication for depression and feeling they are letting their loved one down, leaving them with a terrible sense of guilt. Tragically, in several cases the decision has been made too late, resulting in death of the main carer brought on by stress. We ourselves receive many letters and cards from relatives and friends who are amazed at the improvment in the general health of their loved one. This can be due to many factors, such as variety in their day, conversation and company, treats and fun to spice up life, nutritious meals - all of which contribute to their general well being. Commitment to provide 24 hour care for a loved one is a mammoth task, if you haven’t been in that position yourself it is so easy to criticise. The reality is that until we are faced with that problem, we shouldn’t judge other people. Put all your energy into finding a good quality home where you will be encouraged to become part of the community of the home and continue to play a role looking after your loved one – there is no reason to feel either selfish or guilty.

What should I look for when searching for a care home?

Firstly, you could do some research on the internet into care homes in your area, although I have got to admit even the bad homes out there can be made to look good on their websites. Your most difficult job will be identifying a suitable home where you know your mum/dad would be happy. Don t despair when you know what to ask and what to look for the task is much easier. To help you in your search we provide a free guide on our website offering information and advice on how to find the right home. Secondly, if your loved one agrees I am sure they would find a short stay benificial to them, ('try it and see approach') This would help make the final decision easier after having the opportunity to meet and talk to other residents and staff, and also experience the quality of daily life within the home.